Everyday Heroes
On December 5, we celebrate International Volunteer Day, honoring the millions of people around the world who give their time and energy to support others. At TELL, volunteering is at the heart of what we do, and we take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the volunteers, donors, and sponsors who make it possible for TELL to provide mental health support across Japan.
To all our incredible Lifeline volunteers—TELL’s Support Workers—who have provided steadfast support every single day for more than 50 years, we extend our heartfelt thank you. Though these individuals remain anonymous in their communities, they are real examples of everyday heroes.
Why Volunteer?
Globally, more than 860 million people volunteer every month. In Japan, nearly 1 in every 5 people take part in volunteer activities. Volunteering isn’t just about giving. It is also about what we receive:
- Connection: meeting people we might never otherwise know.
- Perspective: seeing the world through another’s eyes.
- Confidence: realizing the impact we can make.
- Growth: finding purpose, empathy, and belonging.
TELL’s volunteers experience these benefits every day, whether supporting people in distress, joining events like the Tokyo Tower Climb or Step Up Challenge, or raising awareness through community activities.
How to Get Involved
You can join TELL’s volunteer community by:
- Becoming a Lifeline Support Worker (telljp.com/pctraining)
- Participating in a community event (telljp.com/volunteer)
Volunteering takes many forms–from checking in on a friend to organizing a community effort. Each conversation, each event, each act of care and support adds to the strength that helps you and your community adapt and endure. As a volunteer, your compassion, courage, and commitment can change lives. Together, even in uncertain times, we can build resilience, hope, and connection—one conversation, one act of kindness at a time.